Combined shelf and hanger means and improved support therefor



Jan. 27, V, A BQN[A ET AL 2,870,916

COMBINED SHELF AND HANGER MEANS AND IMPROVED SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed June 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 x J .5 E, 66 54 INVENTORS 5 ,7] 4 Vince/z LaBO/Zld Jo n W Zatlf Mk L ATTURAIEJ/J' Jan. 27, 1959 LA BONIA ET AL 2,870,916

V. COMBINED SHELF AND HANGER MEANS AND IMPROVED SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed June 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ V cent LaBon a, J'ZM 14 P142? Asm oewxg COMBINED SHELF AND HANGER MEANS AND IMPROVED SUPPORT THEREFOR Vincent La Bonia, North Haven, and John W. Platt, West Haven, Conn., assignors to The Platt & La Bonia Company, North Haven, Conn., a corporation. of Connecticut Application June 5, 1956, Serial No. 589,542

14 Claims. (Cl. 211--90) This invention relates to an improved shelf construction and more specifically to a combined shelf and hanger means and improved supporting means for removably being readily removable therefrom as for cleaning, storing or the like.

Another disadvantage common to a combined shelving and hanging means heretofore known was that the clothes hanging portion of the shelf depended below the mounting portion and Was simply suspended in space. As a result, the load capacity of the hanging means of the prior construction was greatly reduced, the capacity load capable of being carried thereby being limited solely to the ability of the suspended hanger means to resist the turning moment of the same about its point of connection to the shelf when a load was applied thereto as by supporting a plurality of Weight hangers thereon. For this reason the clothes hanging portion of the shelf of prior constructions was readily susceptible to deformation and damage when excessive loads were applied thereto.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved shelving construction whereby a combined shelf and hanger means is supported on a suitable supporting sur face by novel brackets so that the combined shelf construction is rendered readily removable without the use of any tool of any kind.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combined shelf and hanger means having improved supporting brackets therefor provided with means for supporting the hanger means so as to resist deformation thereof in the event excessive loads are applied to the hanger means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a removably supported combined shelf and hanging means and improved supports therefor, each of which is provided with cooperating means to prevent relative transverse movement therebetween.

The above objects are accomplished by a shelf having a depending hanging means substantially coextensive therewith which is adapted to be supported on a suitable supporting surface by a novel supporting means. Accord- .ing to this invention the supporting means includes a pair of elongate brackets, each of which is provided with the shelf and means for resisting deformation of the hanging means of the combined shelf construction. The combined shelf construction and supporting brackets are so mated that the shelf is rendered readily removable without the use of any tools which is readily accomplished by simply displacing the combined shelf and hanger construction vertically off its supports. To prevent relative transverse movement between the combined shelf and bracketsso as to insure against accidental dislodgement of the same in assembled position, the combined shelf a mounting portion having thereon means for supporting.

2,870,916 Patented Jan. 27, 1959 and brackets inseveral forms of the invention illustrated sections so that the latter are adapted to be extended between their minimum and maximum limits.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that the improved combined shelf of this invention is. relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and positive in operation,

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that the components of the improved combined shelf construction are formed of sheet metal parts which are easily fabricated as by blanking and stamping.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter be apparent from the specifications and claims when considered with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a. partially exploded, fragmentary perspective view of an improved combined shelf and hanger construction according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a modified form ofthe invention.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional side view of the modified form illustrated in Fig. 3 in assembled position Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view having a portion thereof broken away illustrating still another modification of this invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 ofFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken along line 88 of Fig. 6. i i i Fig. 9 is a sectional viewtaken along line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated according to this invention an improved shelving construction comprising a panel forming a shelf 20. As shown, the shelf 20 is constructed of] a relatively thin gauge material. of sheet metal or the like having formed integral therewith along the longitudinal edge portions thereof depending flanges 21 and 22 the depending flange 21 along the front portion of the shelf being somewhat longer than the flange 22 of the rear portion. To stiffen the shelf structure the front and rear flanges are provided with a reversely bent portion 23, 24 respectively to form a stiffening bead.

Intermediate the longitudinal edge portions of the shelf and substantially coextensive therewith, there is connected to the undersurface thereof a hanger means 25. As illustrated, the hanger means comprises a J-shaped channel member. More specifically, the hanger means comprises a mounting portion 25a having 3. depending flange 25b connected to a second portion 250 extending substantially perpendicular thereto. A reversely bent portion 25d is connected to the second portion 250 extending substantially perpendicular thereto, the reversely bent portion 25d terminating in an inwardly and downwardlybent lip 25c spaced from the undersurface of the panel to provide the means for receiving and supporting the hook 26a of a garment hanger 26. Thus, the channel member described functions as a hanger means for supporting a plurality of weighted garment hangers, while at the same time aiding in stiffening the inter mediate portion of the shelf.

In order that the shelving constructions, according to this invention, may be removably supported on a suitable supporting surface, an improved supporting means 27 is utilized in conjunction with the shelving structure described. According to this invention, the combined shelf and hanger means is arranged to be readily removed from its support means so that a housewife may remove the same simply, quickly and easily without utilization of any 3. tools. The support means, in addition to rendering the combined shelf readily removable, is further provided with means which tend t T6SlS t deformation or turning moment of the hanger means-25 about its point of connection to the shelf 20 when an excessive load is "applied thereto.

. According to this invention, 'the'movable support means .includes a pair of brackets 28 which are adapted to 'be mounted toasuitable supporting surface. As illustrated, each bracket '28 is provided with a mounting portion 29 which extends substantially the width of the shelf and is provided with a plurality of apertures 30 for receiving suitable fasteners, such as screws or the like, by which it is rigidly secured to a suitable supporting surface. Extending inwardly along the upper and lower edges of the mounting portion "29, the bracket is provided with spaced upper and lower flanges 31 and 32 respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the upper flange 31 is provided with a cut-out portion 31a intermediate the ends thereof. In alignment with the cut-out portion 31a and disposed between the upper and lower flanges is a U- shaped member 33 forming a recess or socket for receiving the end portion of thehanger means 25 as will be described. If desired, the forward end of the upper flange 31 may be provided with a downwardly bent web portion 34 and the lower flange 32 with a plurality of apertures 35 for removably receiving therein a garment hook 36 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

According to this invention, the combined shelf 26) and hanger means '25 may be removably supported on the bracket, members 28. This is accomplished simply by supporting the outer ends of the shelf 20 upon the upper flange 31 of the bracket 28, the depending hanger means 25 being adapted to be received and seated in a recess formed by the U-shaped channel 33 of the bracket so as to be firmly supported therein.

To facilitate the positioning .of the combined shelf and hanger structure on its supporting brackets, the rear ends of the upper and lower flanges respectively are provided with a cut-out portion 31b and 32b to facilitate the receiving of the beaded port-ion of the depending rear flange '22, and the end portion 23a of the bead 23 on "the forward flange is cut away to accommodate the web 3 f the bracket. Therefore, according to this construction, the depending flanges .21 and 22 of the shelf cooperate with the web 34 and cut-out portion 31b of the upper flange to prevent relative transverse movement between the shelf and the bracket 28 in the assembled position.

With the combined shelf and hanger means firmly supported on the brackets, as illustrated in Fig. .2, it will be r noted that the U-shaped channel 33 embraces the end .portion of the hanger means so as to resist turning moment of the hanger means about its connection to the shelf 20 under excessive load. As a result of the con- ,struction described, the hanger means 25 is able to sup- .port a greater load than that of the prior known comparable shelves constructed of similar gauge material.

.For removing the shelf 20 it is simply necessary to displace or lift the shelf vertically an amount suflicient to free the hanging means from its recess on supporting brackets. Thus a housewife can simply remove the combined shelf and hanger at will effortlessly, and simply whenever desired.

While the shelf illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 may be commonly considered to be a full shelf, the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. .3-5 is directed to what may be referred to as a half shelf. In this form of the inventionfa panel forming the shelf 50 has a width substantially less or approximately one-half that of the full shelf illustrated in Fig. 1

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the hanger means 51 in this form of the invention is formed integral with the shelf 50. As shown, the hanger'means 51 is formed along the front longitudinal edge portion of the shelf by an integrally depending flange 52 having a portion .53 bent inwardly at substantially right angle so as to be spaced from the undersurface of the shelf'and having a reversely bent portion 54 formed therewith terminating in a downward lip 55 spaced from the undersurface of the shelf to provide means for supporting a plurality of garment hangers thereon. if desired, the rear longitudinal edge portion as illustrated is provided with a downwardly turned flange 56 terminating in an inwardly turned portion 57 substantially perpendicular thereto. Consequently, it will be noted that in this form of the invention the longitudinal edge portion forming the hanger means 51 and the terminating flange 56 opposite thereof provides sufiicient means by which the panel may be stilfened.

The support means 58 for removably supporting the half shelf section of this form of the invention is moditied to comprise a pair of brackets 59, each of which is provided with an elongate mounting portion 60 which is substantially wider than the width of the shelf 50, the mounting portion fit) being provided with apertures 61 for receiving suitable fasteners '62 by which it may :be secured to a suitable supporting surface 63. in this form of the invention the elongate mounting portion 60 is provided with a lower flange 64 which is substantially coextensive therewith and an upper flange 65 substantially equal to the width of the shelf 50 which is adapted to be supported thereon. Connected to the forward end of the upper flange 65 there is provided a U -shaped channel 66 having its opened end adjacent 'the forward end of "upper flange. Therefore, according to this form of the invention, the half shelf 55) structure is removably supported on the bracket '59 by resting the end portions of the shelf on the upper flange and positioning the end portion of the hanger means 51 in the recess or socket formed by the 'U-shaped member 66 adjacent the end of the upper flange.

. In order to facilitate positioning of the shelf 50 on the bracket 59 and also to provide means to prevent transverse movement therebetween, the hanger portionSl is provided with a slot 67 adjacent the depending flange 52 and perpendicular portion 53 connected thereto for receiving the forward leg 66a of the U-shaped member. Also the rear portion 65a of the upper flange is cut away to provide clearance for the flange 57 along rear longitudinal edge of the shelf. Therefore, in this form of the invention, as in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,'tl1e U-shaped member 66 supporting the end portions of the hanger means 51 tend to resist turning movement of the hanger means about the junction connecting the same with the shelf when a load is applied thereto. Further,

it will be noted that by providing the hanger 51 with the slot 67 relative transverse movement between the shelf 50 and its brackets 59 in the assembled position is substantially eliminated. Therefore, in this form of the invention, as in the one previously described, a shelf 50 is removably and rigidly supported on its bracket 59 so that it may be readily removed simply by displacing the shelf vertically in the manner hereinbefo-re described.

Referring to Figs. '6-9, there is illustrated still another form of the invention. In this form of the invention the combined shelf and hanger means comprises apair of slidably nested complementary sections 81 and 82 which are adapted to be telescopically adjusted between a minimum and maximum range. While either of the forms illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 may be likewise rendered adjustable, the particular form of the invention of Fig. 6 is directed to a half-shelf construction.

Accordingly, the hanger means 83 of each section is formed integral therewith along the forward longitudinal edge in a manner hereinbefore described, the hanger means of one section "being adapted to be slidably received within the hanger means of its complementary section. Also along the rear longitudinal edge, each section ,31, "82 is provided with cooperating complementary, in-

wardly turned depending flange portions 81a, 82a. Thus the hanger means and rear flanges of one section form the rail means for slidably receiving the cooperating portions of its complementary section. While only two such sec tions are illustrated, it will be understood that more than two sections may be so telescopically connected together. t r 9 In this form of theinvention, it will be noted that the outer end portions of the adjustable shelf are provided with a depending flange 84 which extends slightly beyond the end portion of the hanger means 83 and rear flanges 81a, 82a.

The supporting means 85 by which the adjustable shelf illustrated is supported to a suitable supporting surface 86 comprises an elongate bracket 87 substantially longer than the width of the shelf 80 comprising a mounting portion 88 provided with apertures 89for receiving suitable fastening means 90. The upper portion 91 of the bracket is provided with a laterally offset portion spaced from the supporting surface 86 as shown in Fig. 8. Extending along the lower marginal portion of the bracket there is provided an inturned flange 92. Thus, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the shelf of this form of the invention is removably supported on the brackets by simply positioning the end flanges 84 in the space formed between the laterally offset portion 91 of the bracket and the supporting wall 86, the end portion of the hanging means 83 adapted to be supported on the flange 92 of the bracket.- Consequently, the flange 92 supports the bottom portion 83a of the hanging means which tends to resist the turning movement of the hanger 83 when a weight is applied thereto, thereby preventing deformation of the same when an excessive load is applied thereto.

In this form of the invention, as in the forms previously described, the shelf 80 is rendered readily remov- 2. A combination shelving and hanger means for garments and the like and support therefor comprising a sheet metal shelf having the longitudinal edge portions terminating in depending flanges, said flanges being inwardly bent to stiffen said shelf, hanging means dependingly connected to said shelf and extending longitudinally of said shelf for supporting garment hangers, and supporting means for removably supporting said shelf and hanging means between suitable planar supporting surfaces disposed at and perpendicular to the ends of said shelves, said supporting means including a pair of elongate bracket members having a mounting portion extending for the full length thereof and adapted to be connected to said surfaces to support said shelf. thereon, said brackets having a member projecting from theface of the mounting portion and forming a means for receiving and supporting said hanging means connected to said shelf to prevent deformation of said hanging means when a load is applied thereto by hanging a number of garments thereon.

3. The invention as defined in claim .2 whereinsaid depending flanges of said shelf overhang said brackets and cooperate therewith to prevent relative transverse movement between said brackets and shelf.

4. A combination shelving and hanger means for garments and the like and support therefor comprising a sheet metal shelf, hanging means connected to said shelf, said hanging means including-a J-shaped channel member depending from said shelf and extending longitudinally thereof for supporting garment hangers thereon,

and supporting means for removably supporting said shelf able simply by lifting the shelf vertically so as to free the end flanges 84 from the upper end of the brackets. It will be noted in this form that the combined shelf and hanger means 80 may be readily moved transversely along the bracket members so that it maybe positioned transversely thereof as desired.

The combined shelving, hanger and supports herein described is relatively simple in construction consisting of relatively very few, simply and easilyfabricated parts and arranged so that the shelf can be readily removed for purposes of cleaning or storing without the use of any tools, and furthermore the novel bracket means co operate with the combined shelving and hanger means to resist the tendency of the hanging means from turning about its point of connection to. the shelf when a load is applied thereto. Further, it will be noted that in each form the supporting flanges of the brackets are provided with apertures for removably receiving auxiliary garmenthooks such as 36.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

, We claim:

l. A combination shelving and hanger means and support therefor comprising a shelf, hanging means dependingly connected to said shelf and extending longitudinally of said shelf for supporting garment hangers, and supporting means for supporting said shelf and hanging means between suitable planar supporting surfaces disposed at and perpendicular to the ends of said shelves, said supporting means including a pair of elongate bracket members having a mounting portion extending for the full length thereof and adapted to be connected to said supporting surfaces and having means to support said shelf thereon, said brackets having a member projecting. from the face of the mounting portion and forming a means extending under said hanging means for support ing said hanging means depending from said shelf to prevent deformation of the same when a load is applied thereto by hanging a number of garments thereon.

and hanging means between suitable planar supporting surfaces disposed at and perpendicular to the ends of said shelves, said supporting means including a pair of elongate bracket members having a mounting portion extending for the full length thereof and adapted to be connected to said surfaces to support the end portions of said shelf, said brackets having a member projecting from the face of the mounting portion and forming a means for receiving and supporting the bottom of said J-shaped channel member connected to said shelf to prevent deformation of, said J-shaped channel. member when a load is applied thereto by hanging a number of garments thereon.

5. A combination shelving and hanger means and a support therefor comprisinga sheet metal shelf, hanging means connected to said shelf for supporting afplurality of garment hangers thereon, said hanging means comprising a depending portion connected to said shelf extending longitudinally thereof, a second portion bent at substantially right angles to said depending portion so as to be spaced from said shelf and substantially parallel thereto, and a return bent portion connected to said second portion, said return bent portion being spaced from the bottom of said shelf upon which said garment hangers are supported, and support means for supporting said shelf and hanger means between suitable planar supporting surfaces disposed at and perpendicular to the ends of said shelves, said supporting means including a pair of elongate brackets having a mounting portion extending for the full length thereof and adapted to be connected to said surfaces to support the end portion of said shelf, said brackets having means forming a socket on the mounting portion for receiving and supporting said hanging means, said socket confining said depend ing portion and return bent portion so as to prevent deformation of said hanging means when a load is applied thereto as by hanging a number of weighted garment hangers thereon.

6. A combination shelving-hanging means and support therefore comprising a shelf, hanging means dependingly connected to said shelf and extending longitudinally of said shelf for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, said hanging means consisting of a J-shaped channel member, and supporting means for supporting said and hangingmeans between suitable planar supporting surfaces tdispose'd at and perpendicular to the ends of said shelves, .said supporting means including a pair .of brackets, =each bracket including an elongated mounting portion-adapted ttO be securedv to said surface and having an inturned :upper and lower flange and a :U-shapedmember connected to said bracket and forming a socket disposed between said upper and lower flanges, said ,U-shaped member having its open end juxtaposed said'upper flange, :said shelf being adapted to be supported on said upper flange of said bracket, and said depending .hanging means being receivable in said socket whereby said socketsupports said hanging means to prevent deformation .of said hanging means When a load is applied thereto as by hanging a number of garments thereon.

. 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said hanging .means is dependingly disposed intermediate the edge portion of said shelf and said open end of said member forming said socketrfor receiving and supporting said hanging means is disposed intermediate the ends of said upper fiangeof said brackets.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said hanging means is .dependingly connected to an-edge portion :of said shelf .and said open end of said U-shapcd member (forming .said socket for receiving and supporting said hanging means is adjacent an end portion of said upperflange of said bracket.

9....A combination shelving and hanger means and a support therefor comprising a sheet metal shelf; hanging means connected to said shelf for supporting a plurality of garment hangers thereon, said hanging means comprising a depending flange portion of said shelf and extending continuously therealong, a second portion bent inwardly at .substantiallyright angles to said depending flange portion .so as to be spaced from said shelf and substantially parallel thereto, the junction of said depending flange and second portion adjacent the end of said hanging means being provided with a slot, and a return bent portion @connected .to said second portion, said return bent portion being spaced from the bottom of said shelf .for removably receiving said hangers and support means for supporting said shelf and hanger means on a planar supporting surface disposed at and perpendicular .to the ends of said shelves, said supporting means including apair .of elongate brackets having a mounting portion .adapted to be connected to said surface to support the end portion of .said shelf, said brackets having a .U-shaped channel member connected to said mounting portion and forming a socket for receiving and supporting said hanging means, said socket confining the ends of the depending flange portion and return bent portion so as to prevent deformation of said hanging means when .a load .isapplied thereto by hanging a number of weighted garment hangers thereon, said U-shaped channel member having a leg portion thereof adapted to be received in said slot in the shelf to cooperate therewith .to prevent relative movement between said shelf and brackets.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said bracket is provided with an inturned flange adjacent the .open end of said U-shaped member for supporting said shelf.

.11. An "improvedbracket for supporting a shelf having a contiguously connected depending hanging means com- .8 prising an elongate mounting ,portion adapted to the necured to a suitable planar supporting surface, ssaidrnonnting portion having 'an rupper :end portion to extend under and support said shelf .and an inturned "flange spaced therefrom a distance equal to said depending hanging means and upon which isrested the end portion :of said hanging means to support the :same so as -to prevent deformation of the hanging means when a load is applied thereto as by hanging a plurality of weighted garment hangers thereon.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said inturned flangeis provided withan aperture for removably receiving a hook.

1.3. An improved bracket for removably supporting a shelf having a contiguous depending hanging means 'connected theretocomprising an elongate mounting portion extending substantiallyrthe width ofisaidshelf and adapted to be secured to a suitablesupporting surface, saidmounting portion having an upper inturned flange having a cut-outportion intermediate theends thereof and a lower inturned flange spaced therefrom, a U-shaped channel member disposed between said flanges and connected to said upper flange so that the open end of said channel is aligned with said cut-out portion of said upper flange for receiving and supporting said dependinghanging means as the shelf is supported upon said upper flange, said channel member supporting said hangingmeans 'so .as to prevent deformation thereof when a load is appliedthereto.

1-4. An-improved bracket for supportinga shelf having acontiguous hanger means .dependingly connected thereto comprising an elongate mounting portion adapted to :be supported on a suitable planar supporting surfacedisposed at and perpendicular to the ends of said shelves and .being substantially longer than the width-of the shelf supported thereon, said mounting portion having spaced upper and lower flanges extending substantially perpendicular there to, said upper flange approximating the width of said shelf, and a zU-shaped channel member secured to the mounting portion to project therefrom having its open end adjacent one end of .said upper flange and forming a socket for receiving and supporting the end of the depending hanger means as the shelf is supported on said upper flange, said channel member preventing deformation of said hanger when a loadis applied thereto.

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